Now that the secret's out, I can let you wonderful folks in on the reason behind my recent blogging hiatus: I'm growing a baby up in here (and had not yet told my employers)! I'm 16 weeks along and feeling great. In fact, I felt so great after hearing my baby's beautiful heartbeat at my appointment this morning that I treated myself to a two hour bird walk in Prospect Park. The sky was overcast, but thinly so, with occasional tiny patches of blue. The air was warm enough, but very damp. As I walked down the Long Meadow to check out the Upper Pool, I surveyed the desolate scape of the ballfields; much of that snow would melt by the time I returned that way two hours later. At the pools I counted among my fine feathered friends mallards, American black ducks, ring-necked ducks, and a bufflehead. The pool remains mostly frozen over with a thin layer of ice, and only about a fifth of the water is open for waterfowl. The bufflehead was forced into close proximity with other ducks; they usually shy away from the more gregarious and affable mallards. The resident great blue heron of that area must have been on his lunch break during my visit.
But what that area lacked in herons it more than made up for in woodpeckers. I heard the telltale pik of downies and they weren't hard to spot. I found two females in the grove of trees on the mound opposite the pool. A little listening and a few minutes later, I found two males in a territory squabble. The red patch on the back of one of the male's heads caught my attention - it seemed incomplete. It was really two patches of red separated by a bar of black in between. I wondered if it was a young male growing its first red feathers and the process was not yet finished, or if perhaps that particular woodpecker would always look like that. These males were noticeably larger than the females, and their beaks seemed longer as well, not as "wispy", but I still lean toward downy for these guys, rather than hairy. Their beaks were not nearly as long as their heads, they weren't as surprisingly big as hairy woodpeckers I've encountered before, and the noises they made while bickering over branch rights didn't match anything in my mental sound catalog, so I couldn't compare.
I felt it was a safe time of day to head to the Vale of Cashmere, and I'm so glad I did! I lingered on the path above for many minutes, listening and locating. Here I saw old friends like cardinals, white-throated sparrows, and tufted titmice galore. I heard many chickadees, but never found one. Stinking up the place with his loud whirring call was an elusive red-bellied woodpecker. I think the landscape of the area made for deceptive acoustics, and it took me a while to find the real bird. But it's been several months since I've spotted a red-belly, so I was glad to do the work of finding it. And completely by accident, while tracking down the red-bellied woodpecker, I paused at just the right spot and caught a yellow-bellied sapsucker in my bins. I made my way down below to the actual Vale after a while, but the only activity there was an NYU student film in the rehearsal process. I affirmed visually that the source of that new obnoxious and incessant sound was indeed a blue jay and made my merry way up the path near Nellie's Lawn. I've heard a pair of red-tails are making a nest in the area, and I was able to locate one hawk but no nest. Also added another woodpecker to my list after saying to myself, "That is a sound I know. What is it?" I followed the sound not into the branches but down to the grass, to find a solitary northern flicker. A four-woodpecker day!
Over the Zoo I saw what was probably a Cooper's hawk. I long for the day when I'll see a raptor I can identify besides the red-tailed hawk. I feel like I've studied the pictures and the patterns and the colors, but I think I need to move on to flight silhouettes to really make any progress on that front.
I heard a new song today, and it went like this, whistled clearly(and able to be easily reproduced my my nimble whistler's lips): sol do do do. Long sol, short dos. The whole thing took about a second and a half and was repeated at intervals of about 10-15 seconds. I thought I tracked it to a titmouse, but who can be sure? I want to hear that one again.
Today I also saw the first flowers of the year and heard my very first "old Sam Peabody" of 2009. It fills me with eager anticipation for the blossoming of new life, as the approach of spring always has, but this year I am part of Spring, as the world and I grow new life together.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
early February wrap-up
Well, I ought to bang out an update before we head up to Saratoga Springs for a little winter getaway. Last weekend I went out a few times and saw some great things.
Last Friday I walked to work in the cold and took my time. I'd love to spend more time at the feeders than I do, but often another birder tromps in and flushes them all, and I don't have time to wait for them to come back. So this time I went over to the Boathouse and Binnen Bridge to check out the activity. The water was almost completely frozen over, with 25+ ducks crammed into the small area of open water. I watched them slap their flat feet on the ice and slip around for a while, and that cheered me up pretty well. I saw a raptor come in to perch in the tall naked tree by the bridge (displacing, of course, the little brown jobs, red guys, and squirrels that had been so diligently scratching at the ice to reach the scattered seed frozen below), so I made my way over to get a better look. Here's an excerpt from my notes.
-raptor over Boathouse lake, lands tree near Binnen Bridge. Small birds flee.
-slender birds, streaks of brown on throat +chest, creamy clear belly
-long, squared tail w/regular barring - no white tip
-seemed to move tail slightly while perched. face like RTH but much smaller overall. Tail may be notched.
When it flew away over the Boathouse, within seconds, all the small birds returned to the Binnen Bridge. I laughed to see such a collective yet non-emotional display of relief.
Later, in the Nethermead, I saw another raptor perched atop a bare tree. This time the light made it difficult to get good details, but here's what I've got.
-seems "puffed up" for warmth
-short tail relative to size
-very streaky (brown) all over front
-much smaller than RTH
-possible dark cheek patches
I didn't feel that these two raptors were the same bird or even really the same species. I circled toward the road to try to get better light, but the sky was overcast and the bird was mostly a dark dot. As I stood in the Center Drive near the steep path, trying to discern anything about the mysterious raptor, I saw movement and heard the flapping of large wings in a tree by the side of the road. All of a sudden, a red-tailed hawk, the source of the commotion, flew directly over my head, about 15 feet above me. I had an excellent view, of course. It landed on a low branch in the wooded area to the right of the steep path. I enjoyed its show but didn't want to be distracted, lest the unknown treetop bird make a move without my capturing new details. I fixed my sights once again on the dark dot, hoping for some new sign, only to be sidetracked by yet another majestic red-tail making right for me.
This one landed on a branch directly overhead. I know it's "uncool" or whatever to anthropomorphize birds once you're a birder, but it would be against my nature to stop now, and I really like my nature. So all I'm saying is this: it made me laugh to see the hawks, which make up 90% of my raptor experience because they're big and easy to find, scrambling for attention the second I finally see something unfamiliar.
Saturday I packed a picnic (which we ended up eating in the warmth of the car) and we ventured out to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The gravel path was slushy and muddy and it made me glad I wore my waterproof hikers. The West Pond was frozen over, dotted only with gulls and goose poop. The birds were just not there. I think everybody was over on the East Pond, which looked unfrozen as we pulled out of the driveway to continue our day's adventures. I did see a few fine specimens, however, including one bufflehead, some mallards and American black ducks, a male common merganser, a robin, a crow, a cardinal, and to top it all off, a yellow-rumped warbler. It wasn't the best Jamaica day, but we always make a few winter trips there, and that makes me appreciate the other seasons of birding there all the more.
Sunday is usually projects-at-home day, and after our four loads of laundry were done but before we got too involved in our personal interests, Chrissy and I took a walk in Prospect Park. We followed much the same path as our last walk - up the west side of the lake(ducks, geese, gulls), past the feeders(downies, house finches, titmice, chickadees), to the Boathouse(ducks), and through the Nethermead(nothing!).
This time we cut over Lookout Hill to make our way home. Climbing the road, we came upon a small group looking intently up into a tree. I paused to see what had attracted their interest, and soon found myself rapt as well, by a pair of raccoons mating in the late-afternoon light. I won't go into a lot of detail, but I will say it was interesting to see how much dominating the male had to do to get the female to submit and stay still. Just in time for Valentine's Day!
Last Friday I walked to work in the cold and took my time. I'd love to spend more time at the feeders than I do, but often another birder tromps in and flushes them all, and I don't have time to wait for them to come back. So this time I went over to the Boathouse and Binnen Bridge to check out the activity. The water was almost completely frozen over, with 25+ ducks crammed into the small area of open water. I watched them slap their flat feet on the ice and slip around for a while, and that cheered me up pretty well. I saw a raptor come in to perch in the tall naked tree by the bridge (displacing, of course, the little brown jobs, red guys, and squirrels that had been so diligently scratching at the ice to reach the scattered seed frozen below), so I made my way over to get a better look. Here's an excerpt from my notes.
-raptor over Boathouse lake, lands tree near Binnen Bridge. Small birds flee.
-slender birds, streaks of brown on throat +chest, creamy clear belly
-long, squared tail w/regular barring - no white tip
-seemed to move tail slightly while perched. face like RTH but much smaller overall. Tail may be notched.
When it flew away over the Boathouse, within seconds, all the small birds returned to the Binnen Bridge. I laughed to see such a collective yet non-emotional display of relief.
Later, in the Nethermead, I saw another raptor perched atop a bare tree. This time the light made it difficult to get good details, but here's what I've got.
-seems "puffed up" for warmth
-short tail relative to size
-very streaky (brown) all over front
-much smaller than RTH
-possible dark cheek patches
I didn't feel that these two raptors were the same bird or even really the same species. I circled toward the road to try to get better light, but the sky was overcast and the bird was mostly a dark dot. As I stood in the Center Drive near the steep path, trying to discern anything about the mysterious raptor, I saw movement and heard the flapping of large wings in a tree by the side of the road. All of a sudden, a red-tailed hawk, the source of the commotion, flew directly over my head, about 15 feet above me. I had an excellent view, of course. It landed on a low branch in the wooded area to the right of the steep path. I enjoyed its show but didn't want to be distracted, lest the unknown treetop bird make a move without my capturing new details. I fixed my sights once again on the dark dot, hoping for some new sign, only to be sidetracked by yet another majestic red-tail making right for me.
This one landed on a branch directly overhead. I know it's "uncool" or whatever to anthropomorphize birds once you're a birder, but it would be against my nature to stop now, and I really like my nature. So all I'm saying is this: it made me laugh to see the hawks, which make up 90% of my raptor experience because they're big and easy to find, scrambling for attention the second I finally see something unfamiliar.
Saturday I packed a picnic (which we ended up eating in the warmth of the car) and we ventured out to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The gravel path was slushy and muddy and it made me glad I wore my waterproof hikers. The West Pond was frozen over, dotted only with gulls and goose poop. The birds were just not there. I think everybody was over on the East Pond, which looked unfrozen as we pulled out of the driveway to continue our day's adventures. I did see a few fine specimens, however, including one bufflehead, some mallards and American black ducks, a male common merganser, a robin, a crow, a cardinal, and to top it all off, a yellow-rumped warbler. It wasn't the best Jamaica day, but we always make a few winter trips there, and that makes me appreciate the other seasons of birding there all the more.
Sunday is usually projects-at-home day, and after our four loads of laundry were done but before we got too involved in our personal interests, Chrissy and I took a walk in Prospect Park. We followed much the same path as our last walk - up the west side of the lake(ducks, geese, gulls), past the feeders(downies, house finches, titmice, chickadees), to the Boathouse(ducks), and through the Nethermead(nothing!).
This time we cut over Lookout Hill to make our way home. Climbing the road, we came upon a small group looking intently up into a tree. I paused to see what had attracted their interest, and soon found myself rapt as well, by a pair of raccoons mating in the late-afternoon light. I won't go into a lot of detail, but I will say it was interesting to see how much dominating the male had to do to get the female to submit and stay still. Just in time for Valentine's Day!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Brooklyn Heights
I fully intended to go on the first-Sunday bird walk yesterday. I got up, had breakfast, took a shower, and had plenty of time to get dressed and get to the Boathouse before 10:00, but something happened. The bed monster got me. I have no regrets, though. I really needed the extra rest, and I still had a Puppy Bowl party to prepare for and throw. Who can resist a Sunday morning snuggle? Not I, dear reader, not I!
But I did have time before the Puppy Bowl to head down to the Brooklyn Heights Esplanade with my binoculars, at the recommendation of A Brooklyn Bachelor, to look for kestrels. The air was just starting to warm up and I still had no idea what a gorgeous day it would turn out to be. The constant breeze from the cars below made my eyes water profusely, but I got used to it after a few minutes and was able to enjoy my time there. I checked out the likely perches, but nobody was home. I did, however, see a bunch of bufflehead drakes and one hen, all separately dotting the river, tiny patches of bright white bobbing and diving in the wakes of passing boats. Add to that a small raft of ruddy ducks, lots of American black ducks sunning on the docks, many gulls, and a few cormorants. I tried to get a good view of this one silvery grebe-like bird, but it was just too far away to identify. It had a pointy longish bill, and was darker above than below, but I could not tell where the dark began and ended in the bright midday sun. Soon it was time for lunch at Vegetarian Ginger, my favorite place to eat tofu and seitan, and party preparations. Everything that followed was wonderful and fun. I'd say yesterday had a mix of everything I like - snuggling, birds, good food, and fun with friends. I hope everybody gets to have a day like that!
But I did have time before the Puppy Bowl to head down to the Brooklyn Heights Esplanade with my binoculars, at the recommendation of A Brooklyn Bachelor, to look for kestrels. The air was just starting to warm up and I still had no idea what a gorgeous day it would turn out to be. The constant breeze from the cars below made my eyes water profusely, but I got used to it after a few minutes and was able to enjoy my time there. I checked out the likely perches, but nobody was home. I did, however, see a bunch of bufflehead drakes and one hen, all separately dotting the river, tiny patches of bright white bobbing and diving in the wakes of passing boats. Add to that a small raft of ruddy ducks, lots of American black ducks sunning on the docks, many gulls, and a few cormorants. I tried to get a good view of this one silvery grebe-like bird, but it was just too far away to identify. It had a pointy longish bill, and was darker above than below, but I could not tell where the dark began and ended in the bright midday sun. Soon it was time for lunch at Vegetarian Ginger, my favorite place to eat tofu and seitan, and party preparations. Everything that followed was wonderful and fun. I'd say yesterday had a mix of everything I like - snuggling, birds, good food, and fun with friends. I hope everybody gets to have a day like that!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
warm-day excursion
Last Friday, the temperature nearly hit 50 degrees, so I decided to walk to work through the park and see what I could see. I trudged through slush and slid through shallow mud. Way out, ringing the unfrozen center of the lake, were some Canada geese, fewer mallards, and hundreds of gulls with a few black-backs mixed in. That group was a little too far out for easy identification. As I approached the base of Lookout Hill on Wellhouse Drive, I saw a red-tailed hawk swoop out from over the trees. Then another, and another, and another! Four at the same time! I watched them for a few minutes as they swirled and wheeled, sometimes close enough for three birds in my bins, sometimes grappling a bit with one another. One of the hawks was missing at least one primary flight feather, more likely two, judging from the size of the space.
I didn't have time to check out the feeders, but had a good time crossing the Nethermead. It was empty but for three guys and their dogs. I saw two red-tails fly over my head from Lookout Hill toward the Binnen Water. A minute or so later, when everything was still and quiet, and the men and their dogs had moved off, something in flight caught my eye and its unfamiliarity gave me a little thrill. I had such a short sighting that I will probably never know what it really was, only that it had a white head as viewed from below, dark cheek patches, and awesome uniform light brown speckling on its creamy belly and under-wings. It wasn't much bigger than a pigeon, and its tail was long and narrow, and more squared than fan-shaped. It could have been a merlin, or a kestrel, and seeing another bird just like it the next day in Rhode Island didn't help me get a better idea. I think I need some flashcards or something for these smaller raptors, or maybe just a more concerted study would do the trick.
As I went up the steep path connecting the Nethermead to the Long Meadow, I heard a steady and rapid tapping close beside my head. I paused to look around for a woodpecker, only to be mocked and thwarted by the real source of the sound: a very stiff leaf slapping rhythmically against its branch in the wind. The tap at Fallkill Falls must be turned off for the season, for the water to the left of the bridge was as frozen and still as the pools to the right. The reeded bank of the frozen and snowed-over Upper Pool boasted a lovely great blue heron, still as an ice sculpture.
I was almost to work, and thus almost out of my bird-mind and into the everyday-mind, when I heard a crow cawing and cawing. I looked around to find it, only to see the crow being pursued by a red-tailed hawk. This was, of course, a temporary arrangement, for no sooner had the pair disappeared behind the treeline did they reappear, and this time with the hawk being dogged by the crow and the three buddies it had recently rounded up. How quickly tides turn! It was neat to have one last experience before turning into work-zombie Leah. I'm glad to be the kind of person whose real life is about fun and adventures and who doesn't need her job to tell her who she is.
I didn't have time to check out the feeders, but had a good time crossing the Nethermead. It was empty but for three guys and their dogs. I saw two red-tails fly over my head from Lookout Hill toward the Binnen Water. A minute or so later, when everything was still and quiet, and the men and their dogs had moved off, something in flight caught my eye and its unfamiliarity gave me a little thrill. I had such a short sighting that I will probably never know what it really was, only that it had a white head as viewed from below, dark cheek patches, and awesome uniform light brown speckling on its creamy belly and under-wings. It wasn't much bigger than a pigeon, and its tail was long and narrow, and more squared than fan-shaped. It could have been a merlin, or a kestrel, and seeing another bird just like it the next day in Rhode Island didn't help me get a better idea. I think I need some flashcards or something for these smaller raptors, or maybe just a more concerted study would do the trick.
As I went up the steep path connecting the Nethermead to the Long Meadow, I heard a steady and rapid tapping close beside my head. I paused to look around for a woodpecker, only to be mocked and thwarted by the real source of the sound: a very stiff leaf slapping rhythmically against its branch in the wind. The tap at Fallkill Falls must be turned off for the season, for the water to the left of the bridge was as frozen and still as the pools to the right. The reeded bank of the frozen and snowed-over Upper Pool boasted a lovely great blue heron, still as an ice sculpture.
I was almost to work, and thus almost out of my bird-mind and into the everyday-mind, when I heard a crow cawing and cawing. I looked around to find it, only to see the crow being pursued by a red-tailed hawk. This was, of course, a temporary arrangement, for no sooner had the pair disappeared behind the treeline did they reappear, and this time with the hawk being dogged by the crow and the three buddies it had recently rounded up. How quickly tides turn! It was neat to have one last experience before turning into work-zombie Leah. I'm glad to be the kind of person whose real life is about fun and adventures and who doesn't need her job to tell her who she is.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
first life bird of 2009
My sister is in for the weekend and after breakfast at the Fifth Avenue Diner, Chrissy and I dragged (and drove) her through the snow-shrouded Green-Wood Cemetery. Our feet were not prepared for the snowy walkways, so we did not stay long. But we paused at the Sylvan Water so I could spy on the birds huddled in the unfrozen center of the pond. Here I saw a snow goose, a few Canada geese, some mallards, several pairs of American wigeons, and a pied-billed grebe. Hidden among the wigeons however, was one beautiful rufous-headed specimen I'd never seen before; I guessed it to be, from the company it kept, a Eurasian wigeon. I verified it with my field guide and now I've got a new life bird for 2009!
Later on top of the highest hill (great views of the Parachute Jump and shoreline at Coney Island this time of year) I was greeted by a chorus of funny nuthatch voices. A good selection of winter birds up there: blue jay, cardinal, dark-eyed junco, white-breasted nuthatch, and a brilliant red-bellied woodpecker.
Overall, a great haul for twenty minutes!
Later on top of the highest hill (great views of the Parachute Jump and shoreline at Coney Island this time of year) I was greeted by a chorus of funny nuthatch voices. A good selection of winter birds up there: blue jay, cardinal, dark-eyed junco, white-breasted nuthatch, and a brilliant red-bellied woodpecker.
Overall, a great haul for twenty minutes!
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